Re: Thru-hikers: How long did you take/are planning to take and
Thats 20 questions!!
Here are a few answers -
In 2003 , I walked from Roncesvalles to Santiago - it took 33 days , averaging about 25km per day- most other people were walking the same distance per day........... you see , you start to meet and make walking buddies and you don't want to loose them, nor they you.
If you can bear to say goodbye to all you meet along the way , then 45 to 60 days should enable you to take in most of the sights on the
Camino Frances - having said that , you could return the next year have a completely different experience - the camino moves like a tide - different Albergues , different pilgrims , experiences...........
From Pamplona , one can take a Bus to Jaca on the Camino Aragon and then get a taxi or walk to St Jaun de la Pena ( Word has it that the Holy Grail was kept here) , from there you can walk to Puenta la Reina and be back on the main route of the
Camino Frances.
The big cities are all worth a two day stop - then again , it may be nice to spend an extra night in the solitude of San Bol - or even offer to help a Hospitalero that needs a helping hand.
The fact that you have no time constraints is a huge advantage.
Enjoy - don't plan it all - let it happen . :wink: